Happy Father’s Day!
In true World Cup spirit I take on my dad in a Penalty Shootout for Father’s Day.
I’ve not posted for a while so here’s a must-see special edition. Half filmed in London Arsenal, half back in Coventry. Witness Fletcher junior take on big daddy Fletch in the greatest test of nerves and pressure known to mankind! This. Is. Epic. Neither of us are gifted footballers, but does that count? It probably does. We’ll see…
3 Father’s Day Facts:
- Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, of Spokane, Washington, started the tradition of Father’s Day in the honor of her dad.
- Slippers aren’t the most popular Father’s Day present – it is the gift of a tie.
- There are 1.5bn fathers worldwide. Each year, 122m children are born worldwide.
About My Dad
I mentioned him in my Bob Versus Christmas blog but to explain a little more here’s some more facts:
- He is a twin to brother Norman
- Used to be a postman
- Can play the theme to ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ on harmonica
- The 58 year old shares his birthday with the Queen on April 21st (or she shares it with him)
- Quit smoking after 20 years after listening to a Paul McKenna hypnosis tape
- Especially fond of music; Beverly Craven, Fleetwood Mac, 10cc and Paul Simon – all of Radio 2
For guys as you grow up, you put your dad on a pedestal. He’s your role model; a blue print for behaviour, traits, both skills and flaws. So far – at 25 – my dad has passed on amongst many things: a laid back disposition, polite demeanour, good sense of humour and an above ample sized nose.
I would have liked to have inherited his height and diligent work ethic but by the same token, I reckon my DNA is missing his baldness gene (touch wood), so… win some lose some.
Penalty Shoot Out
In terms of taking anyone on in the world, your dad (especially for blokes) is the biggest duel of all. Can jedi padawan defeat the master Fletch?
My brother Andy came down to London for the weekend and on Sunday morning played goalie whilst I had 5 attempts -filmed by Paul “Mozzybear” Morris – he then travelled back up to Coventry to stand between the sticks for my dad’s penalties. You can’t say fairer than that right? Who do you think won?
INTERVIEW: England Versus Slovenia Thoughts?
The Guardian posted an interesting article before the Algeria game inviting their top expert columnists to explain how they would solve various problems facing Fabio Capello. With that in mind – I decided to get my dad’s views and compare them with my own footballing opinions. Here’s our expert thoughts on what Fabio needs to do for the Slovenia match! Do you agree with either of us?
Problems Facing England?
DAD: “Nerves. They used to say it about boxers you know? With nervous tension you use up energy. They always tell boxers they had their best fight in their training. For example the first thing Steven Gerrard did (against Algeria), normally he whacks the ball (when he had a chance on goal). If he tenses up trying – as the captain – we’re in trouble”
BOB: “Confidence. I wonder if Capello has been spending too much time laying into them for being crap for the last decade than celebrating what they do well, y’know? He was hired on the basis that England were an abject failure – so perhaps it’s no wonder they play like told-off children, not enjoying it at all. It’s like a chore for them. I bet Maradonna praises his players daily and they perform like it too. Then again, he IS absolutely mental”
Can Gerrard and Lampard play together?
DAD: “Yes! Tell em to get their bloody things out! Get it right. The pair of them! It’s not as if they’re 6 foot apart, they’ve got a distance. Like 12 foot. I can’t understand it. Bloody unbelievable. I mean, they’re the blinking best players aren’t they? It”s their fault not Capello’s”
BOB: “Yes. People say they occupy the same space but in fact Gerrard plays all over the pitch. Regardless if he’s centre, side or up front you’ll see him putting in crosses down the wing or tackling back in defence. Lampard is more central and attacks from deep. It’s huge mysonoma that they get in each other’s way. I suspect they just don’t get on… or are stupid… or both”
Who should partner John Terry in Carragher’s absence?
Tactics?
DAD: “I liked seeing Gerrard roaming (for Liverpool). It gets him playing well. Gerrard is more key than Rooney, he doesn’t look fit – he hasn’t done well so far”
BOB: “Rooney is clearly suffering with the pressure. Someone new – possibly Joe Cole – needs to be introduced to share some creative burden”
Formation?
DAD: “4-4-1-1. James; Cole, Upson, Terry, Johnson, Joe Cole, Barry, Lampard, Lennon, Gerrard, Rooney”
BOB: “4-3-3. James; Cole, Upson, Terry, Johnson, Lampard, Barry, Gerrard, Joe Cole, Lennon, Rooney”
UPDATE – 22/06/2010
Kevin McCarra – great bloke from the Guardian – read his latest thoughts from Rustenburgh here – e-mailed me after reading this blog! Here’s what he said:
We probably should have recorded more penalty attempts but… oh well. The result is 100% genuine. Before choosing the winner, bear in mind the conditions (concrete, grass), footwear (trainers v shoes), age difference, who scored the best penalties and any other affecting factors before voting who YOU think really won overall. P.S Go England! You bunch of idiots.
Who wins? Bob or Dad? You decide! What are your thoughts on England V Slovenia? Leave your comments below. VOTE!
Bob, This is a well good Bob versus. Bravo!
Best Bob Versus since Xmas, probably.